Shaft attachment.



Patented Mar. 24, 191i wue/wboz Jamas HSMWH by M, w

J. H. SMITH.

SHAFT ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1914.

51% MWAA JAMES H. SMITH, OF BUCKEYSTOWN, MARYLAND.

SHAFT ATTACHMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 7, 1914.

Patented Mar. 24, 1914.

Serial No. 810,778.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES H. SMrrI-I, citizenof the United States, residing at Buckeystown, in the county ofFrederick and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and usefulImprovenumts in Shaft .-\ttachments, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention relates to an attachment for the shafts ofvehicles, and has for its object to provide 1 device of this characterwhich embodies novel features of construction for admitting of properconnection being, quickly made with the trace and hold back strapwithout the necessity of wrapping a strap around the shaft in the usualmanner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shaft attachment ofthis character which is simple and inexpensive in its construction,which is susceptible of expansion and contraction to fit various sizesof shafts, and which is clamped tightly in position upon the shaft so asto reinforce and strengthen rather than Weaken the same.

Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certainnovel combinations and arrangements of the parts as will more fullyappear as the description proceeds, the novel features thereof beingpointed out in the appended claim.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to thefollowing description and accompanying drawing in which Figure l is aside elevation of a portion of a shaft provided with an attachmentconstructed in accordance with the invention, strap connections for thehold back strap and trace being shown in position. Fig. 2 is a bottomplan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view throughthe device, and Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through thedevice.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawing by the samereference characters.

Specifically describing the present embodiment of the invention, thenumeral 1 designates a vehicle shaft which may be of any usual orconventional cross section. An elongated plate 2 is fitted upon one sideof the shaft, preferably the top thereof, and extends longitudinallyalong the same. This plate 2 is transversely curved to conform in a verygeneral manner to the curvature of the shaft. the longitudinal edges ofthe. plate having a tapered formation. This plate 2 is preferably formedof spring metal and the thin tapered edges thereof have a sullicientamount of resiliency so that. they can besprung apart. or permitted tocome logether according to the size of the shaft upon which (heattaclmu-nt is to be fitted. Opposite ends of the plate 2 are formedwith longilmlinally projecting extensions which are returned and coiledto 'irovide eyes 25. These two eyes 3 project outwardly from the shaftand are preferably longitudinally disposed thereon.

A suitable strap connection l. may be provided for engagement with thehold back strap. the forward end of the strap connection being providedwith a snap hook 5 adapted to engage one of the eyes In a similar mannera forwardly extending strap connection 6 is provided which may eitherterminate in a buckle or like fastening member 7 so as to be attached to.the trace, or be directly attached to the haines so as to itself act asa trace. The rear end of the strap connection (3 is provided with a snaphook 8 which detachably engages the forward eye 3. These strapconnections can be easily and quickly attached or detached from the eyes3 as may be desired, and there is no occasion for wrapping a straparound the shaft in the usual manner.

A iair of clamping plates 9 are. applied to the shaft. on opposite sidesof the main plate 2. These plates 9 are elongated and disposedlongitudinally upon the shaft and one of the edges of each of theclamping plates overlaps and engages the adjacent side of the plate 2,while the other edge thereof is in direct engagement with the. shaft 1.These clamping plates 9 are transversely curved to conform in a verygeneral manner to the shape of the shaft 1 and are also tapered towardthe longitudinal edges thereof, as indicated at 9. In the constructionof these plates 9 spring metal is employed, so that the transverselycurved and tapered longitudinal edge portions thereof can springontwardly to accon'imodate themselves to various sizes of shafts and atthe same time have a very effective clamping action for holding theplate 2 in position.

The tapered edges 9. of the plate 2, as previous stated, have a yieldingaction which enables them to be sprung apart and fitted upon varioussizes of shafts. The clamping plates 9 are then placed in position so asto overlap the tapered edges 2" upon opposite sides of the plate 2.These clamping plates 9 are held in position by means oi suitablefastening members such as the bolts 10 which pass transversely throughthe shaft, 1 and corresponding openings in the edges 2 of the plate 2and the clamping plates 9. By tightening the bolts 10 the transverselycurved clamping plates 9 are sprung into position and caused to fitclosely a ainst the shaft: and edges of the plate '1 ie plate .2 is thusmaintained securely in position, and the clamping dates 9 lit tightlyagainst opposite sides oi the shaft so as to strengthen and reinforeerather than weaken the same.

In use, it will be obvious that the plate '2 will always be in positionupon the vehicle shaft. and that the. strap connections iand 6 with theres eetive snap books 5 and 8 are connected to t l ie harness and may bealmost instantly attached to or detached from the eyes 3 of the devicewhen desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

In a device of the character described, the con'ibination of a vehicleshaft, an elongated transversely curved plate formed of spring materialand adapted to be fitted to the shaft, said plate being provided atopposite ends thereot with outwardly projecting eyes, dampin platesapplied to op aosite sides of the siaft and overlapping the edges of thefirst mentioned plate, fastening members for securing the plates inposition upon the shaft, and oppositely extending strap eonneet-iousprovided with means for detaehably engaging the respective eyes of thefirst mentioned plate.

In testimony whereof I. allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES H. S'Ml'l'll.

Witnesses:

\V. E. Kinnnev, C. New'rox Klan.

Copies of thll patent may be obtained for five cent: each, by addressingthe Commtnloncr of Patents. Wuhtnzton. D. 0.

